Spring suspension for vehicles.



F. W. ERICKSON. SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13' i915.'

Patenfe Au -T" 31, 1915.

ZIREDERIC WM. ERICKSON, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed April 13,

T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Fnnnnnic WVM. EIUCKSON, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and Stdte of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Spring Suspension. for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention about to be described rc= lates to spring suspension apparatus for vehicles, particularly to those of fast moving type, as automobiles, and is intended to add to comfort and economy in driving over hilly and rough roads.

The improved apparatus is arranged between the wheel axles and the chassis of automobiles in such manner that the weight carrying portion or the tonneau superimposed on the chassis will travel in a straight or level line comparatively, while the running gear in contacting with the ground will follow the contour of the road surface as closely as possible to prevent the tires from leaving the road surface,

The invention consists essentially in a novel arrangement of parts for spring suspension producing great elasticity and freedom from shocks, and consists in the em ploymentof flat leaved springs inclosed in a sealed casing filled with oil having one end carried by a suitable fulcrum supported by the wheel axle while the opposite end exerts its own resiliency upon the chassis for common and usual disturbances and is combined with secondary resilient means to :illord relief from sudden and severe shocks to the chassis,

In the drawings, which form a part of and illustrate the specifications,--Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the invention showingthe parts disposed between the wheel axle and the chassis of an automobile and the connections to the same. Fig. 2 is a modification of the above; Fig. 3 1s a schematic side view of a second modifica tion; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line (0 cc of Fig, 2.

Referring to the drawings, B represents an extension of the chassis terminating in an eye 18, which connects by an eye l6 of the rod which extends into the cylinder 3 througli its gland 14 and.

screw cap 13, and is screwed into the upper end of a piston l0 having a cavity 11 open a link 17 with Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug.31, 1915.

1915. Serial No. 21,179.

ing to the entrance 4: in the extension 2 from the wall of the cylinder 3; spiral springs 04 and b are interposed respectively between the top of the piston and the cap 13, and between the under side of the piston and the end of the cylinder in which is located a drain plug 0.

A is a sealed metal casing or box attached as shown in Fig. l to the extension 2 by screws or bolts 5, and to the end piece 7 by screws or bolts 6; a bracket 25 extends from thepiece 1 outward, from which a link 19 is connected to the chassis extension B. Extending inward from the end piece 1 is a hub 7 having a central opening 8 in which are secured by pins the ends of the leaves constituting the spring 9, which are of varying lengths as commonly adapted n open spring suspension, one of which projects into the space 11 in the plunger '10 which serves as a guide to the steel roller 12 in which the spring end is set.

The casing A is filled with oil which may be inserted into the cylinder 3 by the removal of the cap 13, one or more holes 'm, being made in the ends of the piston 10 to allow the oil to circulate lreely. A flange 20 extends downward from the under side of the case A and is provided centrally of its length with a clamp 6 whose cap may engage in the space d and secure by the screws f 7 an axle of the automobile.

The leaves of the spring 9 are made-with 'little clearance 30 between their outside edges and the walls of the case in order that a slow motion applied to the spring from the ground through the wheel and axle will not prevent its action, but a quick motion will be retarded until. suflicient time is given for displacement of the oilfrom the upper to the lower section of the case, or vice versa, as the case may be, thus absorbing practically all the shocks trans- Y mitted to the spring through the suspension points. The piston is intended to slide vertically in the cylinder 3, and the vertical I action is retarded only in case of quick shocks, and slow motion by pressure on the piston. rod 15 will not be checked, for the piston has a number of escapement holes m as stated, the size and number of which will be determined by the weight of the chassis and the load to be carried. Excess motion and added resiliency is given by the auxiliary springs or and b, and is of assistance in severe and sudden shocks.

'lngl igg. 2 is shown a construction similar to. the foregoing, but using the common type of center supported spring inside the case A and connected at each end to a. piston 10, and in practice this construction Will be satisfactory for use on the forward end of the chassis.

In Fig. 3 is shown a method of spring suspension for the entire chassis 011- the forward and rear wheels designed, as will be readily understood, to have one or more spring cases on each end. 01 is the rear axle, and A and A are the spring cases oneover the other, the former attached to the chassis B and the latter supported by the Wheel axis 03 the piston rods 15 of both cylinders 3 being connected by the link 27 tomove together; and the lower case A attached to the chassis by its bracket 9 and link MI, (i ls the forward axle and the spring case A is supported thereby. Case A. is identical with the case shown in section of Fig. 2. w 'w are for- Wyard andfear Wheels of the vehicle. The

cases are'protective from. dust, dirt and external infiuries to the iiiclosed parts, and the springbeing immersed-in oil is constantly lubricated, a very important and desirable feature, and is made Wider and much lighter 1 and more flexible than the open springs in common use, because it does not have to be made heavy to resist the severe shocks which would otherwise obtain; and the temper of the springs is calculated nearer to the carrying load only.

I claim as my invention- 1. A device of the character described, comprising a liquid-tight casing filled with liquid, said casing having two substantially parallel Walls, a flat resilient member in the casing movable in a direction parallel with said Walls and narrowly spaced therefrom to provide for a restricted passage of the liquid as the; said member moves relatively to said malls, and means for connecting said memher and the casing to two relatively movable as the said member moves relatively to saidv faces, and means for connecting said memberand the casing to two relatively movable parts of a vehicle.

3. In spring suspension apparatus for vehicles, a chassis, resilient meansre ting upon an axle of the vehicle, consisting life sealed casing, a leaf spring Within the leasing secured to wall of the some, a cylinder opening into he casing, a' piston therein provided With a guide for the free end of the spring, a piston rod adapted to engage the chassis, the casing and cylinder being filled With oil.

4'. In spring suspension apparatus for Ye hicles, a chassis, resilient means resting upon an axle of the vehicle consisting of a sealed casing, a leaf spring Within the casing se' cured to a Wall of the same, a cylinder opening into thecasing, a piston therein pro-- vided With a guide for the free end of the spring, a piston rod adapted to engage the cha'sis, auxiliary resilient means located in said cylinder, the casing and cylinder being, filled with oil. I

5. In spring suspension. apparatus for vehicles, running gear having a chassis, a sealed case filled with oil provided With means for resting on a Wheel axle, a cylinder, a piston therein, a leafv spring secured.

' to a Wall'of the case, a guide in the piston to receive the free end of the spring, a piston rod extending out of the cylinder and connected to the chassis, means for filling the cylinder with oil.

6. A device of the character described comprising a liquid-tight casing filled with liquid, a leaf spring mounted to move inside the casing and in said liquid, said spring having its edges at such distances from the inner Walls of the casing as to provide constricting passages for the liquid as the spring and easing move relatively to each other, and means for connecting the spring and the casing td two relatively movable .parts of a vehicle.

7. A spring suspension apparatus for vehicles consisting of two or more similar de vices for regulating and modifying shocks from the Wheels attached to each axle thereof, each device composed of a sealed case filled with oil, having a leaf spring bolted to a Wall of the case. a cylinder opening into the case, a piston provided with a guide for the free end of the spring, a piston rod extending througlithe cylinder to the chassis, and auxiliary springs Within the cylinder as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A device for regulating and modifying shocks from the Wheels of an automobile adapted to be attached to anaxle thereof, composed of a sealed case having a cylinder opening into the case, a piston provided With a guide, a leaf spring secured to an inner Wall of the case, its-free end terminating in a roller Which plays in said guide, piston I rod extending out from one end of the cylinder and having means of attachment to a chassis. a

9. A device for regulating and modifyingshoots from the Wheels of an automobile, adapted to be attached to an axle thereof, composed of a sealed case, oil within the same, aieef spring secured to an inner wall of the case, its free end. connected with $0 convey Vibration to the chassis and its outer edges having little clearance with she approximate Walls of the case.

10. A device for regulating and modifyshooks from the wheels of an automobile, acieptezi to be attaeheel to an axle thereof, composed of a sealed protective case, oil 11in same, a leaf spring immersed'in the 0i secured to an inner Wall of the-case, iiiS free end eonnecteoi with means to convey vibration to the chassis, and its outer edges having little clearance with the approximate Walls of the case. 15

In testimony whereof, I have signe my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witne$es, this tenth day of April 1915.

FREDERIC WM. EmoKs oN,

Witnesses:

L. H. SUAREZ, E. A. DNELEN. 

